Former President Bill Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were among the list of notable speakers during the six and one-half hour long service. It's the key to freedom.

He said Franklin's life was a message to young people that they must work hard to achieve their dreams.

The singer told WDIV while attending a memorial service for Franklin on Thursday she and the Queen of Soul, who died of pancreatic cancer on August 16, bonded over their mutual illness.

Taking to Twitter, a British Army spokesperson said: "Respect for others underpins all we do in the British Army so it was no surprise that the Welsh Guards Band paid tribute to musical icon and inspiration Aretha Franklin at Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace today".

"She was a black woman in a white man's world", Mr Sharpton said, as mourners cheered.

Franklin was recalled as both an American institution, who sang at the presidential inaugurations of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and as an aunt and grandmother, who took her young relatives shopping or to see Disney on Ice shows.

Clinton said that Franklin appeared to be very ill, but that she still spent 45 minutes singing in front of the crowd in West Harlem.

Fans watch the singer's funeral on a giant screen outside Greater Grace Temple as the singer's funeral takes place inside. Pink Cadillacs filled the street outside the church, a reference to a Franklin hit from the 1980s, "Freeway of Love".

Mayor Mike Duggan announced during the service Friday that the city would rename the riverfront amphitheatre Chene Park to "Aretha Franklin Park".

Speaking about the late singer, funeral directors Swanson said: "God didn't make a better singer and there isn't a better casket than her 24 karat gold one". We grew up together.

'We all have our days, ' the 74-year-old said.

Clinton ended with this praise of Franklin: "You should remember in this time about this magnificent woman". I am just glad to be here to honor her.

"Girl, let me give you all your respect", Ellis added, pulling in the pint-sized pop star for a hug.

Latest news

Mobile discovers security breach of customer information
T-Mobile began notifying customers of the intrusion this week and encouraged them to contact customer service with any concerns. T-Mobile says the attack was carried out by hackers part of an global group, but no specifics were given.

Powerful Hurricane Lane headed toward Hawaii
The National Weather Service says the hurricane warning in effect for Hawaii's Big Island has been extended to the island of Maui. Tropical storm conditions will be possible on the Big island later Wednesday, with hurricane conditions possible on Thursday.

Google Redesigns Fit, Adds New Features
The platform will also integrate with other health and fitness apps, including MyFitnessPal, Endomondo, Runkeeper, and Strava. Google has worked with the World Health Organisation and American Heart Association () to create its new metrics.